Liam Neeson helps to turn Mark Mulholland’s Dundalk-based novel into a film

Author Mark Mulholland

‘A Mad and Wonderful Thing’, the Dundalk-based novel by Mark Mulholland is set to be made into a film.

A movie deal was concluded in recent days and will be announced at The London Book Fair tomorrow.

It has been snapped up by Parallel Films and is likely to feature Irish actor Liam Neeson in some capacity.

Mark, who formerly ran The Beerkeeper pub (now The Bartender) in Park Street, released ‘A Mad and Wonderful Thing’ in Australia and New Zealand in March 2014 to rave reviews, before it became available in Europe last May.

Mark, who also had an involvement in The Spirit Store in its early days, has lived in France for the past 11 years but still used his hometown as a setting for his debut novel.

Upon its release it received rave reviews from Hollywood actors including Jeremy Irons and Liam Neeson, who said at the time: “I thought it excellent. Deeply satisfying and moving. I also think that sufficient time has passed since the Good Friday Agreement to, at last, have a novel that goes inside the head of one of the ‘Troubles’ protagonists and hear the pros and cons of the conflict (to take up arms or not) told in an original and exciting way.

“All Mark’s hard work has paid off. Ireland has a new and exciting voice.”

Indeed, little did we know at the time that Neeson was so impressed that he has now been linked to turning the novel into a film.

Mark said the Northern Irish man’s support has been superb.

“It was Liam that approached and encouraged Parallel Films to go for it.

A Mad And Wonderful Thing’s book cover

“Liam has been loyal and supportive to the work from the start and he has also made some wonderful comments. Liam, because of who he is, brings assurance of a big production and a guarantee of attention.”

Mark said it was “great news” that the book was being turned into a film, adding that the “right team” were behind it.

“We have had a lot of interest and had other options but Alan Moloney in Parallel Films and Liam bring elegance and gravitas to the production, and they bring know how. They also get it: they understand the fundamental thrust of the book.

“And it is great news, too, I think, for Dundalk. Our story and streetscape, our landscape and hinterland, our mythology, our people, and even our unique sound, are all to get a global airing.”

Who knows maybe the local theme will continue and Dundalk director John Moore will get involved. Either way we’ll soon be hearing the sounds of ‘de town’ on the big screen.

Harry Lee to present LMFM show on Christmas Day

Well known local broadcaster Harry Lee will present a special two hour show on LMFM on Christmas Day featuring extracts from his popular Gathering Heritage project, which he ran last year.

On the day LMFM will be playing selected highlights from the project audio archive including interviews with the likes of Jim Corr, Tommy Smyth, John Moore and lots more of Louth’s sons and daughters.

“We are only too happy to air this fascinating documentary especially at this time of year when people reminisce of times gone by,” said Eamonn Doyle from LMFM.

Specially narrated by Harry Lee the documentary will be a journey of personal stories guaranteed to make you laugh and cry. The project is seeking to expand in 2015 and listeners can contribute their own stories directly via http://www.gatheringheritage.com and via the Audio Boom app.

The show will air from 3pm to 5pm on Christmas Day so be sure to check it out.

Dundalk director Moore linked with thriller I.T.

John Moore

Voltage Pictures are reported to have tapped up Dundalk film director John Moore to direct and William Wisher Jr to rewrite their thriller I.T.

The film follows a publisher who fears for his family’s life after he fires an I.T. specialist who turns out to be dangerously unstable. Dan Kay wrote the previous draft of the script.

Moore is primarily known for helming action movies. He previously directed “Behind Enemy Lines,” “Max Payne,” and “A Good Day to Die Hard,” and is currently attached to the upcoming thriller “Ice Road Truckers” (also penned by Wisher Jr). Wisher Jr’s other films include “Terminator 2,” “Judge Dredd,” and “Live Free or Die Hard.”

Dundalk director Moore to direct The Hunters

John Moore

Dundalk-born director John Moore is to direct The Hunters, a thriller based on Chris Kuzneski’s 2013 novel of the same name.

Deadline.com reported earlier this week that the film tells the story of an elite unit hired by a billionaire to find lost treasure.

The screenplay for the film has been adapted by Taken and The Transporter‘s Robert Mark Kamen.

Director Moore, whose other credits include A Good Day To Die Hard, Max Payne and Behind Enemy Lines, has said that the script for The Hunters reminds him “of the kind of great action movies I grew up on like Lethal Weapon, great characters and smart dialogue”.

Moore hails from the Point Road in Dundalk, where many of his family still reside.

Dundalk director Moore to select winner of award named in his honour

Dundalk director John Moore will select the winner of a new annual award named in his honour by Dundalk Institute of Technology.

This award will be given to the best short film created by third or fourth year students on the Video & Film Production degree course, with a trophy and the possibility of an internship on one of Moore’s future movies.

The latter became a reality for DkIT student Blaine Rennicks, who won an internship on the set of A Good Day to Die Hard in Budapest last year.

John Moore’s other directing credits include ‘Flight of the Phoenix’; the 2006 remake of ‘The Omen’; and computer game adaptation ‘Max Payne’.

He is currently in pre-production on ‘The Englishman’ about a special air service soldier who leads a mission to get civilians to safety during a military coup in Sierra Leone.

The Creative Media section in DkIT – which includes the Video & Film Production course – is housed within their state-of-the-art Carrolls building on campus.

Further information on DkIT courses is available by contacting Sarah McCann, Head of Section by email at: sarah.mccann@dkit.ie or by calling 042-9370285.